X-Headstage uses ultra-small connectors, called board-to-board connectors, commonly used in the PC industry. These types of connectors have a cycle rating of about 50 cycles according to the manufacturers.
But that doesn't mean it will fail at the 51st cycle. We have tested plug and unplug cycles to be more than 200 cycles (it is 241 cycles, just ask our intern Mark). KONTEX is not the first company in the field to use this type of connector and as such some might have experienced reliability issues from this type of connector. While the reliability is a legitimate concern, KONTEX's design differs from others in several ways so the reliability isn't as much of a concern. Here are why:
X-Headstage is designed to be embedded with the electrode, improving the signal quality and making daily plugins a breeze since the HDMI connector is very easy to plugin. Therefore, we expect the plug and unplug cycle to occur only after each chronic experiment when the electrode board is removed from the X-Headstage. So this means 1 mating cycle every 3-4 months or longer. Even with the manufacturer’s conservative rating, this will mean a usage of time of well more than 10 years.
X-Headstage uses an adapter-based solution to interface with standard neural connectors such as the Omnetics. Since X-Headstage is attached once to the adapter and securely locked with screw armor, the plug-unplug cycle limitation does not apply to the actual connectors on the X-Headstage. When the Omnetics connectors do fail as they eventually will, it is much more economical to replace the adapters instead of replacing the entire headstage.
Knowing the cycle limitations. we designed a throwaway adapter that serves as the primary interface with the electrode side. So if it does break, just replace the cycle extension adapter.
Rooted in the electronics manufacturing hub in Taiwan, KONTEX technicians/engineers are well-trained in complex electronics repair. We offer repair service to replace the entire connector modules of the X-Headstages for a fee. This could prolong the runway of your headstage investment. Although we can't guarantee every repair to be successful as there could be eventual decay at the solder joints, KonteX will attempt the repair and fully test the repaired X-Headstage. If the repair is unsuccessful, you will not be charged. See Repair and Service for more information.